Democrats vying for Ross’ Senate seat agree on education, immigration

Tuesday

NATICK - The three Democrats vying to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Ross touched on a number matters at a forum Tuesday, including climate change, education and the opioid crisis.

Kris Aleksov, Jackie Katz and Becca Rausch are seeking the Democratic nomination for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex state Senate seat. The district includes part or all of Natick, Franklin, Wayland, Millis, Wellesley, Attleboro, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn and Wrentham.

Kris Aleksov

As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage the state and country, Aleksov - a Wayland attorney - called for more treatment options and beds for addicts. He identified the state-run Wrentham Hospital - which is nearly empty - as a possible option for more beds.

“The alternative is almost unthinkable,” Aleksov said of addicts returning to the streets or jail.

Aleksov called state Sen. Jamie Eldridge’s sanctuary state amendment that bans law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration agencies a “no-brainer.” He said there needs to be more efforts to encourage undocumented immigrants to become legalized citizens.

Increased funding of the public housing program is the easiest and fastest way to address the affordable housing shortage in MetroWest and the region, he said.

Jackie Katz

Katz, a Wellesley High School teacher, highlighted the need for more education leaders at the Statehouse and increased funding for early childhood education. Low student to teacher ratios are the most proven way to improve educational values and performance, she said.

Environmental issues also top Katz’s list of priorities. She advocated for more affordable and efficient public transportation to take cars off the road, encouraged communities to implement green initiatves and called for the elimination of single-use plastic bags.

“It’s a scourge on the environment,” she said of single-use plastic bags. “...We need to raise a generation of kids who care about the environment.”

A self-described fighter, Katz supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Becca Rausch

Protecting civil rights is high on Rausch’s list of priorities. She plans to ensure hate and discrimination have no place in the district or state. A second-generation American, Rausch also supports Eldridge’s sanctuary state amendment.

"I wouldn’t be here if immigrants weren’t allowed to come in this country,” she said. “We need this.”

Rausch, a Needham attorney and Town Meeting member, called for publicly funded full-day kindergarten across the state and increased funding for STEAM education initiatives.

Increased job training in burgeoning professions - such as green jobs - and finding innovative and proven approaches to addressing the opioid epidemic are part of Rausch’s platform.

The primary will be held Sept. 4.

Jeff Malachowski can be reached at 508-490-7466 or jmalachowski@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmalachowskiMW.